NEGOTIATION SKILLS AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION IN OYO STATE: IMPLICATION FOR EDUCATIONAL PLANNING

YUSUF, Lateef Adeyemi (Ph.D)

Abstract

The study examined negotiation skills and conflict resolution in Oyo State with a view to
generating some recommendations towards providing a solution to the problem of violent
conflict that constitutes insecurity in Oyo State. The study adopted a descriptive survey research
design with the questionnaire as the major instrument of data collection. Two research questions
guided the study. Simple stratified random sampling technique was used to select 300
respondents from three universities. A well-validated researcher-designed instrument tagged
“Negotiation Skills and Conflict Resolution Questionnaire” (NSCRQ), with reliability index 0.91
(test-retest, 3 weeks interval) was used for data collection. Multiple Regression Analysis
statistics was used to test the research questions at the 0.05 level of significance. Findings
showed that the combination of two independent variables significantly predicted conflict
resolution. Communication skill (β=0.34) was the highest contributor, followed by planning skill
(β=0.31), in that order. Part of the recommendations stated that adequate planning should be
carried out for successful conflict resolution to take place. The implication for educational
planning was discussed, for instance, the need to promote peace education that is centered on
conflict resolution is of crucial importance towards the attainment of national security